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Electricity Bills in Sri Lanka: Highest in South Asia
Sri Lankans pay 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than South Asian neighbours In 2023, Sri Lanka revised its electricity charges three times in February, July and October. The stated basis for the increase, was to recover the full cost of providing electricity. This analysis compares the electricity charges on households in Sri Lanka in December 2023 with what households are paying in other South Asian countries. Two findings emerge that justify public concern on electricity bills in Sri Lanka: 1) Sri Lanka has the highest household electricity cost of any South Asian country (see Exhibit 1, comparing against the highest cost areas of supply in other countries). 2) Sri Lankan households are paying c. 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than the average cost to their counterparts in South Asian countries (see Exhibit 2). A tariff decrease is planned in Feb 2024; this new structure would result in cost reduction in the electricity bill of around 4% or less. Therefore, it will not make a dent in Sri Lanka occupying the position of paying the highest prices for electricity in the region at a multiple of 2.5 to 3 times of what is paid by households in South Asia. The analysis is based on comparing households that consume between 100 to 300 units of electricity per month on single-phase lines (excluding any government taxation on electricity). Exhibit 2 shows that consuming 100 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 5,280, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 2,078. Consuming 300 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 21,860, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 7,340. Exhibit 1:
Featured Insight
Electricity Bills in Sri Lanka: Highest in South Asia
Sri Lankans pay 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than South Asian neighbours In 2023, Sri Lanka revised its electricity charges three times in February, July and October. The stated basis for the increase, was to recover the full cost of providing electricity. This analysis compares the electricity charges on households in Sri Lanka in December 2023 with what households are paying in other South Asian countries. Two findings emerge that justify public concern on electricity bills in Sri Lanka: 1) Sri Lanka has the highest household electricity cost of any South Asian country (see Exhibit 1, comparing against the highest cost areas of supply in other countries). 2) Sri Lankan households are paying c. 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than the average cost to their counterparts in South Asian countries (see Exhibit 2). A tariff decrease is planned in Feb 2024; this new structure would result in cost reduction in the electricity bill of around 4% or less. Therefore, it will not make a dent in Sri Lanka occupying the position of paying the highest prices for electricity in the region at a multiple of 2.5 to 3 times of what is paid by households in South Asia. The analysis is based on comparing households that consume between 100 to 300 units of electricity per month on single-phase lines (excluding any government taxation on electricity). Exhibit 2 shows that consuming 100 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 5,280, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 2,078. Consuming 300 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 21,860, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 7,340. Exhibit 1:
Featured Insight
Electricity Bills in Sri Lanka: Highest in South Asia
Sri Lankans pay 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than South Asian neighbours In 2023, Sri Lanka revised its electricity charges three times in February, July and October. The stated basis for the increase, was to recover the full cost of providing electricity. This analysis compares the electricity charges on households in Sri Lanka in December 2023 with what households are paying in other South Asian countries. Two findings emerge that justify public concern on electricity bills in Sri Lanka: 1) Sri Lanka has the highest household electricity cost of any South Asian country (see Exhibit 1, comparing against the highest cost areas of supply in other countries). 2) Sri Lankan households are paying c. 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than the average cost to their counterparts in South Asian countries (see Exhibit 2). A tariff decrease is planned in Feb 2024; this new structure would result in cost reduction in the electricity bill of around 4% or less. Therefore, it will not make a dent in Sri Lanka occupying the position of paying the highest prices for electricity in the region at a multiple of 2.5 to 3 times of what is paid by households in South Asia. The analysis is based on comparing households that consume between 100 to 300 units of electricity per month on single-phase lines (excluding any government taxation on electricity). Exhibit 2 shows that consuming 100 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 5,280, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 2,078. Consuming 300 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 21,860, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 7,340. Exhibit 1:
Featured Insight
Electricity Bills in Sri Lanka: Highest in South Asia
Sri Lankans pay 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than South Asian neighbours In 2023, Sri Lanka revised its electricity charges three times in February, July and October. The stated basis for the increase, was to recover the full cost of providing electricity. This analysis compares the electricity charges on households in Sri Lanka in December 2023 with what households are paying in other South Asian countries. Two findings emerge that justify public concern on electricity bills in Sri Lanka: 1) Sri Lanka has the highest household electricity cost of any South Asian country (see Exhibit 1, comparing against the highest cost areas of supply in other countries). 2) Sri Lankan households are paying c. 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than the average cost to their counterparts in South Asian countries (see Exhibit 2). A tariff decrease is planned in Feb 2024; this new structure would result in cost reduction in the electricity bill of around 4% or less. Therefore, it will not make a dent in Sri Lanka occupying the position of paying the highest prices for electricity in the region at a multiple of 2.5 to 3 times of what is paid by households in South Asia. The analysis is based on comparing households that consume between 100 to 300 units of electricity per month on single-phase lines (excluding any government taxation on electricity). Exhibit 2 shows that consuming 100 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 5,280, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 2,078. Consuming 300 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 21,860, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 7,340. Exhibit 1:
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Government revenue rose during the first eight months of 2024
During the first eight months of 2024, government revenue rose from LKR 1,819 billion to LKR 2,557 billion compared to the same period in the previous year.
2024-10-29
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2023 Budget's revenue target missed by LKR 382 Bn
The Ministry of Finance Annual Report, released on 31st May 2024, shows that in 2023, total revenue including grants fell short of the Budget target by LKR 382 billion or 11%. In 2023, actual total revenue and grants amounted to&n...
2024-08-09
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Why did Sri Lanka fall short of revised 2022 tax revenue target?
Sri Lanka missed its tax revenue target in 2022, falling short by Rs 101 bn. Prioritizing fiscal consolidation has been given greater importance as part of the current IMF program. A series of budget deficit...
2023-07-20
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Cigarette Tax Indexation: Getting it Right and Getting it Wrong
The indexation method introduced in 2019 Budget addresses two pervasive problems in cigarette taxation: (a) lack of regularity and consistency in tax increases, and (b) failure to reduce affordability of cigarettes.
2019-08-01
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Who is responsible for Alternative facts on Cigarette Taxation?
The term ‘Alternative Facts’ has come to describe ‘blatant falsehoods’ spread to the media by those in power who purposely create doubt about even obvious and easily verifiable facts. Over the last few months, the Sri...
2017-06-01
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